This is the second post in a series on the subject of “framing” – what it is and how it is used at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). We mentioned in the last post that the source material for this subject was found on a website here… http://www.workingpsychology.com/index.html which is authored by Kelton Rhoads, Ph.D. He explains several aspects of his studies dealing with the subject of influence. In the previous post, we reviewed some information about “framing” types and effects.
At the end of the previous post we finished with these words: next, “we will look at the parts of a “frame”. I will also share my observations on the continual use of fear to frame every decision and rule during my time at WOFF. We will discuss a new term – “fear-frame” as well as how this affected life at WOFF. Please, check back soon for the next post. I believe this “fear-frame” concept is vital to understanding life for members of WOFF.”
From the source material we read the author’s definition of a frame: “A frame is a psychological device that offers a perspective and manipulates salience in order to influence subsequent judgment.” Rhoads breaks down the definition to help understand the meaning: “1) A frame “offers a perspective.” It manages the viewer’s alignment in relation to the issue.” The theme used by the author to help his readers understand his definition was the use of actual frames, for instance around a picture. He uses this analogy several times very effectively. The “perspective” at WOFF was narrow to say the least. You agreed with Jane’s perspective or you did not stay around long. The starting position for a faithful member of WOFF was/is Jane was/is always right and all others are listening to devils. The mantra is not that evident at first. New folks are given room to “grow” and “come into their place” of “understanding”. The phrases used to direct a member to Jane’s counsel or one of the approved leaders may be gentle or innocuous at first.. Have you heard God on that? Are you sure? Are you under authority? Have you inquired of God? Have you submitted to authority in that area? Are you out from under authority? After a while, the code becomes clearer. Jane Whaley is the “authority” and all decisions flow through her. If it is evident that a new person is not getting the meaning of the WOFF code, the directives will be more obvious. Have you asked Jane? Have you checked that out with Jane? Does Jane know about that? Did Jane say that was God (God’s will)? It was clear that perspective you needed to stay in WOFF- was Jane’s.
Rhoads writes about the second part of the definition of a “frame”: 2) A frame “manipulates salience.” That is, it directs the viewer to consider certain features and ignore others. A way that Rhoads mentions this can be done is to mark or label a certain feature that draws away the focus on other features. He says labeling folks as “blue collar” or “intellectual” or “an athlete” emphasizes one particular feature of that person. Perception may become organized around the label.” Well, John, every group has labels… right? That may be true in regard to organization or levels of achievement. But, from my understanding, Rhoads is saying these labels are meant to divert and focus attention on some feature that is stressed and made of bigger importance than deserved.
How did this play out at WOFF? Come on! That one is too easy! Any person who had a DEVIL label- was automatically BAD! All else they ever did was wrong and all they would do after that label was in question until Jane said they were “free from that devil”- whatever that devil may be. Beware, getting free from one devil does not ever automatically allow you to be free from another. You were constantly subject to being labeled as having another “ put any word here devil” and have to start the process of “deliverance” or “getting free from that devil” all over again. There was a constant struggle to dodge the “devil” label and act or seem to be free from known, recognizable devils. When you were being labeled with a devil ALL ELSE YOU EVER HAD DONE THAT HAD ANY MERIT WAS IN QUESTION! Even your family and friends were scrutinized to see if they had the same devil or if one of them had given their devil to you! You were even asked about family and friends not in WOFF. What kind of devils did they have that you may have inherited or picked up from them? Does this sound ridiculous or what? But, while inside WOFF- life is ruled by the labels of devils– not the love of God. That was/is the sad part. I did not see how this method of operation to keep folks constantly under some sort of compulsion to act in a certain way to be “free from that devil” was so far from true Christianity that truly embarrasses me to even admit I was a working part of the sham. I furthered the travesty on my friends and my family inside WOFF. Can you see how this whole labeling/framing routine was a set-up to break up friends and families- since who wants to be “full of devils” or risk your life in WOFF or your “call of God” or “chance to make it to heaven” by fellowshipping or living with someone who “doesn’t want to be free from their devils?” Ask the people whose families are broken and they still live inside WOFF? Was their choice worth the broken relationship? Are they so free from devils and in a higher place in God that the destroying/wasting of the friendship or family relationships was well worth it? Did the one true God in heaven actually require that? Really?
Honestly, years ago, when we first began to attend the “Word of Life Training Center” in Greenville, we filled out applications to see if we would/could be accepted. (really?) Anyway, several of the questions required you to put down all the “sinful” activities you EVER participated in. Yes, if you ever smoked, drank alcohol, had pre-marital sex, adulterous sexual relations, drugs, were in karate, heavy into rock music, witchcraft, séances, and all kinds of other stuff. (Use extra pages if needed…) What was the purpose of this? I look back and it was definite source material for future “deliverance” and mystical “prayer” type stuff. Yes, those would/could be used as devil labels for sure.
Another label you were given was “born again” or “not born again”. If you were “born again”, then you had a chance to possibly some day do or say something pleasing to Jane. If you were “not born again”, then you had no chance to do anything but “repent to Jesus” (so Jane could approve) and then maybe you could be “saved” and “learn God’s ways” (as Jane taught them..). Until you were “born again” and Jane knew it, you were going NOWHERE at WOFF!
Truthfully, here is where I must admit my failure. I must admit that there is no way in this post to retell all the labels that Jane used/uses in ruling her kingdom of WOFF. She is better at crafting labels to frame people than I am able to remember. I will mention a few more as I am sure that many more have been created since my tour ended. You could be labeled as rebellious, unclean, full of the unclean, a pervert, perverted, full of perversion, a Jezebel, an Ahab, a Judas, Cain, have the spirit of Cain, a witch, a warlock, a Leviathan, or have the spirit of a Leviathan, fool, or have a foolish spirit, a glutton, or have a gluttonous spirit, you could be taken over by a spirit of greed or alcohol or hunger for drugs or… you get the picture. Should I forget, one could have the spirit of Korah, Dathan and Abiram?
Rhoads explains the last part of his definition of a frame: “3) A frame influences “subsequent judgment.” The frame precedes a persuasive attempt, and implies a certain organization for the information that follows… Information received after the frame is delivered may be organized and resized to fit within the parameters established by the frame. The frame not only contains, but constrains. The frame helps create the picture we view.” This is exactly why the “frame” is labeled as a tool of influence. Groups like WOFF are not the only groups who purpose to influence others. So, they are not the only one who uses “frames” per se. And yes, the subject cannot be covered in depth here as Rhoads admits he does not pretend to do on his website. I do not pretend to have an in-depth, professional understanding of the term; but, I see enough to confidently say that I have spent many years in a group where the leader used/uses the technique to lead, force, and coerce others to a subsequent judgment. That judgment was about people, about Scripture, about political situations or politicians. Those framed agreements were leading us as members to conclusions about court situations, holiday celebrations, historical events and other matters. But, ultimately the frames were meant to lead us into a judgment about Jane. As much as she would deny it, Jane cared/cares what her members think about her. Is she holy? Is she righteous? Is she sinless? Is she leading a cult or a group of men, women and children to the very throne of God? Does she hear God with more accuracy than any other human on the planet? If a particular member looses confidence in her perfection, she has learned to move onto another and another and another in order lead them to believe in her perfection and holiness and her gift and her prayers and her love and her purity and her “loving heart”. It is all about Jane. How can I say that and not back up one bit? Let me explain briefly and then close for now.
As I considered what “frame” was used at WOFF by Jane Whaley, it became clear to me that the frame was fear. The frame may take on different names, or forms, or shapes or sizes, but it was a “fear-frame” through and through. Jane constantly uses a “fear-frame” to control her members and anyone who will listen, WOFF member or not. Many times, I would have to say that Jane Whaley was/is famous in my mind for being able to call someone a name of some sort with such a high pitched scream as a Comanche on the war path, that the delivering of the label was more effective than the label itself. The scream would literally make people (like me) jump. Sometimes, she would let out a scream that would cause the whole congregation to jump, startled and then fall back in their seats. She then would chuckle as if satisfied with her power to control others. These exercises would strengthen her fear power over her members. Jane frames her messages, her actions, her life’s-work with fear that if you don’t believe as she believes and do as she says do (under the guise that God has told her to tell you), then you will not make it to heaven, you will fall ill, you will die in a wreck, you will be paralyzed in a wreck, you will lose your job, your house, your family, your dog, your cat, lose your call of God, lose your ministry, lose your way, lose your sanity, lose your whatever… In my opinion, since Jane has to constantly use fear to get others to believe her message, to stay in her kingdom, to validate her ministry, to agree that her life has purpose; then she is not very acquainted with the God she supposes to preach about. Let’s consider this:
18There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love [a]turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear [b]brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].1 John 4:18 (Amplified)
In the next post in this series we will review more about framing. We will explain how fear of a loss is a very effective motivator. That is a technique which Jane has down to a science. Would you agree? Please, check back soon for the next post in this series on framing.
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(Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. ) Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 269.